Former marathon world record holder Paul Tergat has been dubbed a Johnnie Walker "Giant" as part of the Scotch brand's marketing campaign in Kenya, The Standard reports.

Johnnie Walker's Walk With Giants campaign highlights well-known people from a variety of fields with inspirational life stories. Tergat, who in addition to being the first to break 2:05 in the marathon also won five world cross country titles and two Olympic silver medals at 10,000 meters, is the first Kenyan to be featured in the campaign. Two years ago, Haile Gebrselassie, who defeated Tergat in those two Olympic 10,000-meter finals, was also named a Johnnie Walker Giant. Other Giants have included race car drivers, fashion designers, explorers and business magnates.

“In implementing the global Johnnie Walker ‘Walk With Giants’ campaign for Kenya, there was no doubt that running legend, Paul ‘The Gentleman’ Tergat, was the perfect choice. His inspiring tale of perseverance against all odds truly demonstrates the tenets of ‘inspiring personal progress’ in an emotional and compelling way that will inspire Kenyans everywhere to keep walking,” said Agnes Kinga, marketing manager for East African Breweries Limited.

What Tergat's story has to do with drinking Scotch remains unclear. In most of Kenya, especially rural areas like the one where Tergat grew up, there's little tradition of moderate social drinking. Nearly all elite Kenyan runners in training avoid alcohol.